First Light Books
Pronoun Preference
RECEIVED Tue., Feb. 10, 2004
Editor,
It seems quite apparent that the article in The Austin Chronicle, [News], Jan. 30, titled "The Death of Ben Brownlee," was not intentionally disrespectful and in considerably bad taste.
I wish that I could rewrite the article, but its length prevents that. Instead, I would ask that each of your readers reread the article, and please do, inserting the proper name of "Tesía, Tesía Samara" or "Tesía Samara Brownlee" in their proper and respective places; as well as replacing the male references of "he" with the proper female pronoun "she." I feel certain that she would like that.
The article further went on in great detail about how no one seemed to know or realize that Tesía was being continuously and inexcusably abused. Even after her death those responsible continued going on about their daily lives with the inappropriate inner solace that "everything is alright; life is good; I am good; I have destroyed a beautiful young life, but that's OK!"
How wrong can they be!? The students (and their parents who have passed on to their children their own destructive attitudes of GLBTs); the faculty (especially the school counselors); the investigating law enforcement agencies involved; the ministers whose righteous indignation allowed these destructive attitudes to continue unchecked; or for that matter, anyone and everyone in Rockdale who heard, or even suspected, Tesía's hurting and suffering. Their silence alone approved of her abusive treatment.
The citizens of Rockdale cannot alone be held to blame. Reread the article. Then, honestly search your own heart, mind, and soul accordingly. All of us that believe in some sort of God would do well to judge our thoughts and feelings as though we were standing before that God on our final day of judgment – judging ourselves. Those of us who have no sort of God but believe in the truth, honesty, and judgment of our nation, perhaps we should study its Constitution. If we belong to both, perhaps we should study ourselves and our Constitution.
After all, either way we have the guidelines for treating others, whether it be as Christians, U.S. citizens, or both.
Goodbye, Tesía Samara Brownlee. I did not know you, but I do know the hurt, the sadness, and the heartbreak that you knew.
It seems quite apparent that the article in The Austin Chronicle, [News], Jan. 30, titled "The Death of Ben Brownlee," was not intentionally disrespectful and in considerably bad taste.
I wish that I could rewrite the article, but its length prevents that. Instead, I would ask that each of your readers reread the article, and please do, inserting the proper name of "Tesía, Tesía Samara" or "Tesía Samara Brownlee" in their proper and respective places; as well as replacing the male references of "he" with the proper female pronoun "she." I feel certain that she would like that.
The article further went on in great detail about how no one seemed to know or realize that Tesía was being continuously and inexcusably abused. Even after her death those responsible continued going on about their daily lives with the inappropriate inner solace that "everything is alright; life is good; I am good; I have destroyed a beautiful young life, but that's OK!"
How wrong can they be!? The students (and their parents who have passed on to their children their own destructive attitudes of GLBTs); the faculty (especially the school counselors); the investigating law enforcement agencies involved; the ministers whose righteous indignation allowed these destructive attitudes to continue unchecked; or for that matter, anyone and everyone in Rockdale who heard, or even suspected, Tesía's hurting and suffering. Their silence alone approved of her abusive treatment.
The citizens of Rockdale cannot alone be held to blame. Reread the article. Then, honestly search your own heart, mind, and soul accordingly. All of us that believe in some sort of God would do well to judge our thoughts and feelings as though we were standing before that God on our final day of judgment – judging ourselves. Those of us who have no sort of God but believe in the truth, honesty, and judgment of our nation, perhaps we should study its Constitution. If we belong to both, perhaps we should study ourselves and our Constitution.
After all, either way we have the guidelines for treating others, whether it be as Christians, U.S. citizens, or both.
Goodbye, Tesía Samara Brownlee. I did not know you, but I do know the hurt, the sadness, and the heartbreak that you knew.
Lovingly,
Jerri Russell
Jerri Russell
